A Study on Vocabulary Instruction Strategies Based on the Modified RVI Approach for Multicultural Learners’ Adaptation to the Curriculum: Focusing on Elementary School Social Studies Vocabulary

This study aims to develop a content-linked vocabulary instructional program by partially adapting the modified robust vocabulary instruction (RVI) approach to support the academic achievements and curricular adaptation of multicultural learners. Core vocabulary was selected from the politics, law, and economics units in the 5th- and 6th-grade social studies textbooks, and step-by-step instructional strategies were designed to reflect the specific needs of these learners. In particular, the study explored its applicability within the “curricular adaptation Korean” context of the KSL curriculum. The findings highlight the necessity of explicit vocabulary instruction for multicultural learners and propose the modified RVI approach as an effective method for enhancing both academic achievement and curricular adaptation. However, as the study was based on the 2015 revised curriculum, further research is needed to incorporate the 2022 revised textbooks and to expand programs across subjects, with tailored vocabulary instructions for diverse learner backgrounds and levels.